
Racine St. Catherine’s senior Eddie Vinson guided the Angles to a state title last year and has been extremely efficient in his senior campaign
The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) presents both an Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year award in the state of Wisconsin each season for Large School and Small School.
There are 14 weeks in the 11-player football season when regular and postseason are included, meaning we're halfway through with seven games complete.
This week, we'll be looking at the top contenders for WFCA Large and Small School Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.
It takes the right combination of name recognition, statistical success, and team success to win the award, which is available to players from any grade but has traditionally gone to a senior. Generally, the player must be from a very successful team that is either unbeaten or a favorite to compete for a state title.
Previous Articles:
Large School Offensive Player of the Year Favorites
Large School Defensive Player of the Year Favorites
To be clear, the Small School Offensive Player of the Year is presented by the WFCA. However, below is my take on the top ten candidates right now (in alphabetical order), though there is a long ways to go before the selection is made after Level 4 of the postseason, and more candidates could certainly emerge.
The Favorites
Chase Beahm, QB, Waupun - Beahm is having a big season for upstart Waupun, who is 6-1 and set to make just the sixth playoff appearance in school history. He leads the state with 2,074 passing yards, completing 96-of-164 passes (58.5%) with 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Beahm has also rushed for seven scores this season.
Justin Bergmann, RB, Pepin/Alma - Bergmann rushed for 1,052 yards last year and has already eclipsed that mark in just seven games this year. The senior running back has 1,342 yards and 21 touchdowns on 123 carries. He also has 10, two-point conversions, a receiving touchdown, and plays on defense for the Eagles.
Eric Cumber, RB, Ripon - Ripon is close to qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in six years, and Cumber has been the catalyst for things in head coach Andrew Selgrad’s second season. Cumber is the state’s leading rusher by a wide margin, with his 1,956 rushing yards more than 600 ahead of anyone else. He has scored 26 rushing touchdowns and averages 8.5 yards per attempt.
Bode Falkner, QB, Mondovi - Falkner is on the verge of a 1000/1000 season, as the sophomore quarterback has thrown for 987 yards and rushed for 851. He has nine passing touchdowns, completing 56.4% of his passes, averaging 9.5 yards per carry on the ground with 14 rushing scores.
Zach Rizzo, Kenosha St. Joseph - Rizzo has been very impressive this year as the Lancers are undefeated, including victories over several large opponents. The senior right-hander has completed 70.4% of his passes (71-of-101) for 1,214 yards and 14 touchdowns with just one interception. He’s added five rushing scores as well.
Carson Roemhild, Boyceville - A three-year starter at quarterback for the Bulldogs, Roemhild has helped the team to an unbeaten record so far this year. In just six games he’s thrown for 1,148 yards and 19 touchdowns with no interceptions, completing 62.6% of his passes. Roemhild has added 150 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Tyson Teal, RB, Northwestern - Teal is the top offensive weapon for one of the state’s best teams. The Tigers are undefeated, and the junior running back is averaging an incredible 13.3 yards per carry this season, going for 1,023 yards and 16 touchdowns on 77 carries. He also has 16 catches for 284 yards and a score.
Eddie Vinson, QB, Racine St. Catherine’s - Vinson quarterbacked St. Cat’s to a Division 4 state title last year and has been incredibly efficient in his senior season. He’s thrown 22 touchdowns with just one interception, completing 72.9% of his passes (86-for-118) with 1,376 passing yards. He’s also rushed for 278 yards and four touchdowns as the starter in all seven games.
Tyler Wollin, Lake Mills - Wollin is just a junior but already in his third season as the starting quarterback for the L-Cats. He leads the state with 28 touchdown passes, throwing for 1,850 yards on 62.4% passing with just one interception this season.
Zeke Zuberbuhler, QB, Darlington - Zuberbuhler has been very impressive this year for the undefeated Redbirds, despite playing only partial games most of the time as Darlington has posted dominating scores in almost every game. The junior has thrown for 871 yards and nine touchdowns, completing 72.2% of his games, adding 564 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Others to Watch:
Quintin | Arizola | Delavan-Darien | QB |
Brady | Bauer | Lourdes Academy | QB |
Jack | Hoeper | Spencer/Columbus Catholic | RB |
Ryan | Johnson | Aquinas | QB |
Cohen | Kraus | Racine Lutheran | QB |
Brock | Matheny | Grantsburg | QB |
Ayden | Nerdahl | Amherst | RB |
Brett | Paulsen | Kewaunee | QB |
River | Sahr | Potosi/Cassville | RB |

Travis Wilson serves as the Bound Wisconsin Manager. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisBound or reach him at [email protected].